WEST SPRINGFIELD — One of the hottest issues among residents in West Springfield this winter has been the high cost of electricity and gas for heating homes. Residents have been demanding local and state leaders take action to provide relief from these higher costs.
On Feb. 18, the West Springfield Town Council took some action when it adopted a joint resolution proposed by Mayor William Reichelt. The mayor proposed the joint resolution of his office and the Council to address rising gas and electricity rates that he said have become a “significant concern” for West Springfield residents.
At the meeting, the council voted 4-2 in favor of the resolution. Powers, along with Councilors Anthony DiStefano, Wiliam Forfa, Brian Griffin and Sean Powers voted in favor of it, while Councilors Frederick Connor and Daniel O’Brien voted against it. Councilor Michael LaFlamme abstained due to his employment with the state Legislature and councilors Brian Clune and Jamie Smith were absent.
Following the vote, Reichelt thanked members of the Town Council who joined him in supporting residents by voting in favor of the resolution. “Their vote demonstrates our shared commitment to fighting for fairness, transparency, and relief from rising utility costs. Together, we are sending a strong message that West Springfield will not stand by while our families face undue financial burdens.”
The joint resolution requests that both the Legislature and the state Department of Public Utilities conduct a “comprehensive” investigation into the “recent and significant” increases in gas and electricity rates charged by Eversource.
The DPU holds oversight and regulatory authority over Eversource, which is the utility provider that supplies gas and electricity to West Springfield residents. The Legislature is empowered to enact laws and policies that can help protect consumers from excessive and unjustified utility rate increases.
The resolution also seeks an investigation to assess the fairness of these increases, the causes of the escalation and the potential for legislative or regulatory actions to mitigate the financial impact on residents.
In his letter to Powers prior to the meeting, Reichelt said recent increases in utility rates have had “a direct and troubling impact on many of our families, particularly those who are already facing financial strain due to inflation and other ongoing challenges.”
Reichelt also wrote that, “As elected officials, it is our duty to advocate for the best interests of our community. The pressure on household budgets from rising utility costs cannot be understated.” He added that it is “essential” to explore every avenue available to protect residents from “undue financial hardship.”
The mayor’s resolution was in response to mounting concerns from local residents about the financial strain rising utility costs have placed on households throughout the town.
“We are hearing from residents who are deeply worried about the rising costs of gas and electricity. As a community, it is crucial that we stand up for our residents and take action to ensure they are not unfairly burdened by escalating utility prices,” said Reichelt in a statement prior to the vote.
Kate O’Brien Scott, chief of staff and general counsel of the town’s law department, said the mayor’s office doesn’t have an exact number of how many residents have contacted the office to complain about the higher utility rates.
However, since the beginning of the year, O’Brien Scott said the number of residents contacting the town about increased rates has “increased dramatically.” She added that public feedback to the mayor’s office about the joint resolution has been “extremely positive.”
O’Brien Scott said while Reichelt frequently advocates on behalf of constituents and the town to state legislators, agencies and the governor, this is the first resolution he has proposed that is specific to utility rates.
She also said the mayor has been in discussions with other mayors in the area about the resolution, but she is not aware if other communities have proposed or adopted similar resolutions.
